Agency's rationale does not make sense

Regarding ITD’s rationale (May 22, Bee) for not working at night to avoid hours-long traffic delays on the long bridge during the day:

The statement by ITD’s Barbara Babic that the construction timing restriction — from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. — “is rooted in the project’s environmental impact statement” and that “changes to the time restriction could require changes to the EIS or open ITD up to legal challenges” is patently ridiculous. It is also a thinly-veiled attempt to vilify opponents of the project and hold them (read NICAN) responsible for ITD’s failure to minimize the impacts of bypass construction on our community.

There is no legal basis for forcing ITD to adhere to statements in the EIS regarding the scheduling of construction during the day — if such statements even exist. Bringing such a legal action would be frivolous and a waste of time and money.

This is just another example of mis-information generated by ITD (“we’ll never use Bridge Street for construction access,” “traffic delays will be minimal,” etc.) which ITD continues to spew, in spite of the fact that they got their way — the destruction of Sandpoint’s waterfront is a done deal.

LIZ SEDLER

North Idaho Community Action Network

Sandpoint